Dear editor,
Being raised in New York and later living in Philadelphia and Boston, I thought I had experienced the "epitome" of politics. Then 3 years ago I moved to Arkansas. The politics in the "poor" state of Arkansas out shyster those easterners 10 times over. Back east, the politicians can't come close to the control the politicians have over the electorate in Arkansas. Coming from the outside, I can see the amazing things going on in this state. For a populous to be hoodwinked, lied to, and held back is criminal. Let me first say that my wife and I have fallen in love with Arkansas, and plan to spend the rest of our lives in this beautiful state. The atmosphere, the people, the beauty of the state, the recreation, all fit our lifestyle. But it would be nice to live in a place that was free of the dirty, rat-gut politics that pervade the state and local governments. In the big cities back east and up north, the politician retains his power by "giving" the populous everything... large welfare payments, high pension benefits, large workmen's comp payoffs, etc. Then they raise taxes to pay for it. They have gotten away with this for a century.
So what is different in Arkansas? The first thing I noticed in Arkansas is that there are so few powerful money people and a tremendous amount of low income people. Second, there is an obvious lack of skilled workers. How has this happened? Who has caused this, and how is it being maintained?
First, for those in power to maintain their power they have to be sure that large industries do not come into the state, particularly those industries that need high skilled labor. If these jobs come into Arkansas, the pay scale would go up and their power would diminish. It's easy to prevent this, - give alot of lip service to the desire of getting new industry into the state, but never give the incentives necessary for industry to come to Arkansas. This way Arkansas is always outbid by another state for the industry. Then give the excuse that the other state gave tax incentives - you have already brainwashed Arkansans in thinking that this is evil to do. Pretty easy.
Second, do what Clinton did. Brag about how industry has grown in the state. Right! What are these industries? Chicken processing plants? Timber? Right! What are the pay scales at these industries? Certainly not skilled work.
Third, give those few existing industries which are actually leftovers from the 40's, a hard time - so that if they do expand, it is not in Arkansas. How many times have you seen the growth of, or transfer of good companies to other states? Too many times. And the surprising thing is, no one seems to mind, no one seems to fight to keep them in Arkansas.
Fourth, keep the education level so low that there is a lack of skilled workers for any potential industries who might even consider building in Arkansas. Our ex-governor was an expert here. The state educational ranking went from 45th to 49th during his tenure. This is where if you tell a lie long enough, people will start to believe it. The Arkansas politician has the ultimate power. Talk a good story to the constituents - but don't pass any bills that would challenge and upset the balance of your power. I cannot imagine that this wide divergence of incomes and power has come about by accident or happenstance.
What is in the future? I am optimistic. You cannot keep the people undereducated forever. You can't keep the people in low wage jobs forever. You can't keep the people "down" forever. Even the Berlin Wall came down. It has taken a long while, but the people are changing their attitudes and your are seeing slight changes at the polls. People are starting to demand better. Yes, I am optimistic. I do believe that people will take a stronger interest and demand what is right!
Hank Schmidt